Leeds Rail Station - new southern entrance (LSSE)

The Leeds Station new Southern Entrance opened on 3 January 2016

January 2016

Construction of Leeds Station Southern Entrance, commonly referred to as LSSE, commenced in December 2013. The structure was opened on Sunday 3 January 2016.

Leeds Station and the area

Leeds Station is the second busiest station outside London.
It is owned and managed by Network Rail. The area to the south of the station
has seen substantial growth and regeneration over the past 10 years. Major new office accommodation such as Bridgewater Place has been
created, as well as new residential leisure facilities including the DoubleTree
by Hilton Hotel.

The new developments have created demand for a new pedestrian
entrance from the railway station linking directly with the new developments to
the south of Leeds. Up to 20% of Leeds rail station passengers will benefit
from the new entrance.

The Leeds Station Southern Entrance includes a new concourse
on the extended western footbridge in the station over platform 15, 16 and 17
and provides customer information screens, ticket vending machines and
automated ticket barriers. From the new upper concourse access to the south of Leeds is
provided by stairs, escalators and lifts. A new low level concourse at
river level provides stepped and step-free access links to the east and west sides
of the river, including to Granary Wharf, Little Neville Street and Neville
Street.

Background

LSSE is jointly promoted by the West Yorkshire
Combined Authority (WYCA) and Network Rail. The circa £20m scheme secured
£12.4m from DfT as well as funding from West Yorkshire's Local Transport Plan,
Network Rail and Leeds City Council. LSSE is owned by Network Rail.

An outline design (GRIP 4) was completed in May 2009 and Full Planning Permission was granted in May 2010.

In November 2012 the Leeds Railway Station (Southern
Entrance) Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application held a Public
Inquiry. The purpose of the Inquiry was to hear the case from the Promoters and
Objectors to help inform the Secretary of State’s decision. The Secretary
of State for Transport published the Decision Notice approving the TWAO which
gave WYCA and Network Rail (the Promoters) the necessary temporary and
permanent powers to construct and operate LSSE in 2013.

If you have any questions or would like further information regarding this project please email lsse@westyorks-ca.gov.uk